Air brake



AIR BRAKE Filed June 8, 1942 RUN ST P I II J 9 I 9 ll l7 6\ t 14 l8 I 22 6 '22 34 3 32 a2 a4 35 i 29 I 35 I9 42 42 43 STEAM TO COMPRESSOR.

2 MAIN lees. 44

I I m TO BRAKE SYSTEM AIRFEOM E I] COMPRESSOR. 7 H 24.

3nventor Patented Sept. 7, 1943 AIR BRAKE Clarence. Raymond Jer assignor to The New a corporation of New Je ome, Watertown, N. Y. York Air Brake Company:

rsey

Application June 8, 1942, Serial No. 446,222 2 Claims. (Cl. 303-88) This invention relates to air brakes and particularly to means for draining water from the main reservoir. Compressed air flowing to the reservoir is cooled in passing through the radiator pipe, and further cooled in the reservoir, with the result that the main portion of its vapor content condenses. Thus accumulation of moisture is particularly rapid while the compressor runs, though it continues at a diminishing rate after the compressor is stopped by the governor.

The present invention provides a valve of desirably simple construction, in which the valve actuating motor is well protected, and in which the water during the period of rapid accumulation is drained away and collected in a chamber external to the reservoir o that entrainment and consequent flow of water to the brake pipe are guarded against. Simple heating means for the water collecting chamber are provided for winter use. The chamber is isolated fromthe reservoir and drained when the compressor stops. The operation of the valve is controlled by the governor.

The preferred embodiment of the invention-is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertica1 axial section of the drain valve in the position assumed when the compressor runs.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the position assumed when the governor stops the compressor.

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the connections.

The valve housing comprises three main parts, a body 6, a cap 1, and a bottom closure 8. The cap I has a union connection 9 with the drain pipe ll leading from the main reservoir l2. A pendant ported flange I3 on the cap enters the drain chamber I4 in the body 6 and assists in confining the annular sealing gasket l5. Machine screws are used to connect the cap and body, asshown.

The flange l3 serves to guide the spherical valve head l6 in motion between the upper seat I! formed in cap I and lower seat I8 formed in body 6. The valve l6 has a tubular stem l 9 which extends through alined openings in body 6 and bottom closure 8 and ports 2| lead to the bore of the stem from the annular chamber 22 formed in body 6 beneath valve seat 18.

When the valve is in its lower position, Fig. 1, water drains from the reservoir l2 past seat I! to chamber l4 and is arrested at seat l8. When the valve closes upward against seat l1, water collected in chamber l4 drains past seat l8 to chamber 22 and thence through ports 2| and tubular stem IS.

A jacket chamber 23 in body 6 is supplied with steam through pipe 24 under the control of steam valve 25 and keeps the body above freezing temperature in winter. A drain port 26 disposes of the condensate.

The lower end of body 6 houses a recess 21 surrounded by a recessed flange 28. The bottom closure 8 houses a chamber 29 surrounded by a flange 3|. Seated in the recess of flange 28, and clamped by flange 3| is the margin of a flexible motor diaphragm 32. Machine screws connect the flanges, as shown.

Threaded on stem I9 above the diaphragm is thrust disc 33. Below the diaphragm is a beaded washer 34, held by nut 35 also threaded on stem ES. This construction seals the diaphragm to the stem l9 and aflords limited vertical adjustment of the stem l9 relatively to the diaphragm.

At the top of chamber 21 a packing ring 36 encircles the stem and is received in a gland formed in body 6. A. follower 31 compresses the packing ring under the urge of the relatively heavy diaphragm loading spring 38 which reacts between disc 33 and follower 31. The spring biases diaphragm 32 downward and at the same time renders ring 36 efiective to prevent leakage of water from chamber 22 to chamber 21. A vent 39 disposes of any leakage which may occur.

A packing ring 4! seals stem l9 where it passes through bottom closure 8. There is a follower 42 and a relatively light spring 43 which reacts between the follower 42 and nut 35. Spring 38 i the dominant one so that diaphragm 32 and valve l6 have a definite downward bias.

Pipe 44 connects chamber 29 with motor chamber 45 of governor 46. To stop the compressor (not shown) governor 46 puts chamber 45 under pressure. At such time the diaphragm 32 will be forced up (Fig. 2). The effect is to isolate chamber I4 from the main reservoir l2, and drain the chamber. The water, and oil if present, pass through stem l9 and do not come into contact with the diaphragm. When the governor starts the compressor, the parts shift to the position of Fig. 1, closing the outlet from chamber l4 and connecting that chamber with the main reservoir.

The parts of the device are of simple form and hence inexpensive to construct and maintain.

I claim:

1. In a pressure actuated drain valve for removing water from the reservoir of compressed air systems, the combination of a housing enclosing a water collecting chamber; a double beat valve, shiftable to connect said chamber selectively with the bottom of the reservoir and with the atmosphere, and including a tubular stem extending through and beyond said housing and serving as the discharge passage from said chamher; a flexible diaphragm connected with said stem, sustained at its margin by said housing, and forming with said housing a. single acting pressure motor for shifting said valve; packings sealing between said stem and the housing above and below said diaphragm; and spring means biasing said diaphragm in opposition to said single acting pressure motor.

2. In a pressure actuated drain valve for removing water from the reservoirs of compressed air systems, the combination of a housing enclosing a water collecting chamber with entrance and exit valve seats; a valve comprising a generally spherical head with a depending tubular stem by which it is guided in the housing and by means of which it may be shifted between said valve seats alternatively to connect said chamber with the reservoir or with atmosphere by way of said tubular stem; a movable abutment connected with and encircling said stem and forming with a portion of said housing an upper working space vented to atmosphere and a lower working space to which pressure fluid may be admitted to force the valve upward, said stem extending to atmosphere through both said working spaces; packing means sealing with said stem {to isolate the upper working space from said chamber and the lower working space from atm0sphere; and initially stressed springs reacting the springs being of unequal strength whereby the valve is biased downward.

CLARENCE RAYMOND JEROME. 

